Big impact for small animals

Big impact for small animals

Carole Popham and Christina Dennis are dedicated to their feline friends – from taking in the sick and the needy to an open door policy for the neighbourhood cat population.

With considerable experience in taking care of their animals, the couple are familiar with the many ailments and illnesses that can befall them – from feline AIDS to kidney failure, blindness and thyroid problems. They have pledged to make a significant gift in their will to the University of Melbourne’s U-Vet animal hospital in Werribee, happy in the knowledge they can help further medical treatment for cats in Australia.

U-Vet is one of Australia’s leading veterinary hospitals with emergency, teaching and research facilities. Specialist staff and veterinary students treat 24,000 animals and perform more than 400 emergency operations per year.

Carole and Christina feel the $500,000 bequest is the least they can do. Each of their cats has at one time benefited from advances in feline medicine.

This way we know it can continue to move forward for others, we believe in investing and this is an investment.

Someone who understands this better than most is Dr Dayle Tyrrell, who, as Senior Lecturer and Section Head of Diagnostic Imaging at U-Vet, is at the helm of the most comprehensive imaging service in Australia. Dr Tyrrell has also included the University in her will, directing her pledge specifically to her department to help ensure Australia continues to be at the forefront of veterinary care and small animal medicine.

With colleagues such as Dr Sam Long, the only certified specialist neurologist and neurosurgeon (vet) practicing in Australia, pet owners can be confident their cherished companions are getting the best care available.

It is not just feline owners who want to make a difference. Patricia and Bill Wilson are also investing in the future with a generous research bequest in tribute to their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

When their beloved Fred became ill, Patricia and Bill’s local vet reached out to experts at the University’s Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences neurology service. Dr Long confirmed the diagnosis of syringomyelia, a canine neurological condition.

“After a short but happy spell for Fred we were at peace with a decision to euthanise him,” said Bill. “Without Sam’s advice we would have wondered if we had done the right thing. We decided then to support the work of the Veterinary school by way of a bequest so that others might find the peace that we did.”

Although their experiences are very different, these generous donors all share the same aim – to improve health outcomes for our small animal friends.